On every NFL team there is someone who makes you cringe. Someone who can
freeze you into a trance-like state and make you watch in awe.
When the Colts take the field on Sept. 6 against New Orleans in the
season-opener, Drew Brees will be that player. Like a cold and cruel assassin,
he'll roam the field of the RCA Dome, attempting to dismantle the Indianapolis
defense and silence a raucous crowd.
And there is reason to believe that Brees will have his way against the
Colts.
Remember Dec. 18, 2005? That's when Brees entered the RCA Dome as the
quarterback of the San Diego Chargers and on that fateful Sunday changed the
complexion of the Colts season, ending the hometown team's run at an undefeated
campaign with a 26-17 upset.
The San Diego defense clearly made headlines that day, recording four sacks
and forcing two Peyton Manning interceptions, but Brees had his moments,
finishing the game 22-of-33 for 255 yards.
He hasn't played in the RCA Dome since that day.
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Drew Brees
Doug Pensinger, Getty Images |
It's clear that Brees has become an elite quarterback in the NFL, averaging
more than 3,300 passing yards and 21 touchdowns per season. Throughout his
career, he's completed almost 63 percent of passes.
Compare his career completion percentage to some big names like Tom Brady,
Brett Favre and Trent Green. Brees ranks above of all of them in that
category. And he's coming off the best season of his career, throwing for 4,418
yards and 26 touchdowns in 2006.
Against the Colts on Sept. 6, I just have to believe he's going to have a
big, big day.
Whenever you take a look inside the Indianapolis defense, there are always
question marks. But after losing starting cornerbacks Nick Harper and Jason David to free agency, this year's pass defense looks particularly suspect. Don't
get me wrong, I could eventually warm up to the idea of Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson on the outside, but for right now I'm skeptical, particularly with
Hayden.
To make things worse, Bob Sanders is nursing a bum shoulder and Cato June is
definitely not coming back -- ever.
As a former college safety, June was a key player in Tony Dungy's Cover Two
scheme, and Indianapolis will miss him. The Colts can't afford to miss Sanders
too. He's the emotional leader, and the heart and soul of the defense.
If Sanders is not healthy, the Colts are in trouble - deep trouble. He's not
expected to be out long, but then again, who expected him to miss 10
regular-season games last season?
I didn't.